Transparency Committee Hears First Witness Testimonies

From the Office of State Rep Dan Flynn

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations held its first set of public hearings to gather witness testimonies for its ongoing investigation of the contemplated impeachment of Wallace Hall, Jr., a current member of the Board of Regents at the University of Texas System. The hearings were held over two days, and included testimonies from nine witnesses.

Subpoenas for witnesses and documents were approved unanimously and issued at the hearings. The Committee also briefly entered executive session to review and discuss confidential student information relative to the investigation.

Representatives Carol Alvarado and Dan Flynn, Co-Chairs of the Committee, released the

following statement:

"The testimonies gathered over these two days of hearings have provided the Committee with information and insights necessary for the Committee to continue its thorough and impartial investigation. The Committee would like to thank the witnesses that appeared and provided testimonies. We have the utmost confidence in the Committee's members and its counsel to uncover the facts and set the record straight. We look forward to the Committee's future hearings as we continue this unprecedented assignment."

According to the Committee's expanded jurisdiction, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Texas Government Code, the Committee has the authority to conduct investigations on matters relating to misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, or incompetency of individuals appointed to offices of the executive branch of state government, including university regents. After the Committee has conducted its fair and full investigation, the Committee may determine that grounds for impeachment exist. The Committee has scheduled future meetings for the months of November and December.